Wind and Wave Obey the Master Gospel reading: Mark 4:35-41 Video clip: https://youtube/watch?v=yyzwCpofQSA Wind and Wave Obey the Master 35 On that day, when evening had come, He told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the sea.” 36 So they left the crowd and took Him along since He was already in the boat. And other boats were with Him. 37 A fierce windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 But He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him up and said to Him, “Teacher! Don’t You care that we’re going to die?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 Then He said to them, “Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?” 41 And they were terrified and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!” **Verse 4:35 ‘On that day’ refers to the same day that Jesus delivered His teaching in verses 1-34. ‘When evening had come’ is classic of Mark’s use of dual reference whereby the second marker of time is more specific than the first. In this particular case these words indicate that Jesus had been teaching all day and they build the suspense for what follows since a storm on the water at night is more frightening. ‘The other side of the sea’ refers to the eastern side, which was Gentile territory. **Verse 4:37 The Greek term for “furious squall” is used here and in Luke 8:23 to describe the ‘fierce windstorm’, whereas Matthew 8:24 used a phrase that means “sea quake”. The Sea of Galilee lies almost 700 feet below sea level. It is surround by highlands. To the northeast is Mount Hermon, which rises over 9,000 feet above sea level. When the cold air from Mount Hermon meets the rising warm air from the sea, it often results in a storm that sweeps down on to the lake. Because fishing boats of that day had low sides, ‘the boat was already being swamped’. **Verse 4:38 The ‘stern’ (rear) had a raised deck on which the fisherman could sit or lay. ‘The cushion’ was for the helmsman. This was the only time recorded in the Gospels that Jesus was ‘sleeping’. Exhausted from teaching, He entrusted Himself to God (cp. v. 27; Ps. 3:5; 4:8). ‘Don’t You care that we are going to die’ was softened in Mt. 8:25 and Lk. 8:24. The words recall Jonah 1:14. **Verse 4:39 The phrase ‘Silence! Be still’ recalls to mind the exorcism found in verse 1:25 in which Jesus rebuked and silenced the demon. The use of the perfect tense literally means “be still, and stay still.” There was an immediate response by nature. The ‘great calm’ of verse 39 contrast with the great storm of verse 37. This transformation was accomplished by just a word from Jesus. **Verse 4:40 Jesus rebuke of His disciples was not as harsh in Mt. 8:26 and Lk. 8:25. ‘Fearful’ refers to the nervousness and lack of confidence in God. ‘Faith’ is trust in God. Lack of faith consequently made them fearful in the crisis. **Verse 4:41 ‘They were terrified’ is literally “they feared a great fear’. They great storm that Jesus turned into the great calm now led to great fear. Their terror is understandable in light of the teaching that only God can make ‘the wind and sea obey Him (cp. Ps. 65:7; 89:8-9). HCSB Study Bible, Holman Christian Standard Bible
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 11:24:16 +0000
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